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News | April 13, 2020

DOD Transports Vital COVID-19 Medical Supplies to Points of Need

By David Vergun DOD News

U.S. Transportation Command has moved people and supplies around the world in support of the whole-of-government effort to combat COVID-19, Transcom's commander said.

Two service members move a dolly loaded with boxes.
Members of the Illinois Air National Guard transport medical equipment at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, April 3, 2020.
Two service members move a dolly loaded with boxes.
Medical Equipment
Members of the Illinois Air National Guard transport medical equipment at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, April 3, 2020.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Jay Grabiec, Illinois Air National Guard
VIRIN: 200403-Z-TJ041-026
Transcom has moved COVID-19 testing supplies to the United States from overseas and has delivered field hospitals in places such as New York and Washington state, Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons said, coordinating movements with U.S. Northern Command, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The command's mission is to conduct globally integrated mobility operations, lead the broader joint deployment and distribution enterprise, and provide enabling capabilities to project and sustain the joint force.

Lyons noted his command is also working with the State Department to contract with commercial airlines to repatriate U.S. citizens stranded abroad. To date, Transcom has contracted four flights and coordinated other missions resulting in almost 800 travelers being repatriated in support of State Department efforts.

Two Guardsmen dressed in fatigues, and wearing protective face masks, unload boxes from a vehicle in a large parking lot.
Louisiana National Guardsmen help distribute food from the Second Harvest Food Bank of South Louisiana at the Shrine on Airline stadium parking lot in Metairie, La., April 6, 2020. To date, the Guard has helped to pack more than 134,655 pounds of food for distribution across the state.
Two Guardsmen dressed in fatigues, and wearing protective face masks, unload boxes from a vehicle in a large parking lot.
Food Distribution
Louisiana National Guardsmen help distribute food from the Second Harvest Food Bank of South Louisiana at the Shrine on Airline stadium parking lot in Metairie, La., April 6, 2020. To date, the Guard has helped to pack more than 134,655 pounds of food for distribution across the state.
Photo By: Army Spc. Duncan Foote, Louisiana National Guard
VIRIN: 200406-Z-SE049-1007
The National Guard in every state and territory is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. About 29,000 guardsmen have been called up by their governors, according to today's Defense Department media fact sheet.

An airman wearing a face covering walks near packages sitting on a lift.
Airmen assigned to the California National Guard deliver 200 ventilators to Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., April 7, 2020, to support ongoing COVID-19 medical response efforts in New York and New Jersey.
An airman wearing a face covering walks near packages sitting on a lift.
Medical Supplies
Airmen assigned to the California National Guard deliver 200 ventilators to Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., April 7, 2020, to support ongoing COVID-19 medical response efforts in New York and New Jersey.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Jonathan Lane
VIRIN: 200407-Z-OL270-1024M
Besides supporting communities with testing sites and creating additional medical capability, the Army National Guard and Air National Guard are providing transportation for distribution of food and medical supplies. For example, airmen from the California Air National Guard are transporting 500 state-owned ventilators and medical supplies from California to states in need, including New York.

The Massachusetts National Guard is delivering personal protective equipment to first responders and hospitals throughout the state and providing staff augmentation and meal delivery to the Holyoke Soldiers Home.

The Iowa National Guard transported 280 pallets of medical supplies to 90 of the state's 100 counties.

Guardsman prepares boxes of fresh produce and groceries for distribution.
An Arizona National Guardsman readies a box of fresh food and produce prior to delivery to residents at the Flagstaff Family Food Center in Coconino County, Ariz., April 7, 2020. More than 800 guardsmen continue to serve across the state in response to the ongoing emergency.
Guardsman prepares boxes of fresh produce and groceries for distribution.
Grocery Delivery
An Arizona National Guardsman readies a box of fresh food and produce prior to delivery to residents at the Flagstaff Family Food Center in Coconino County, Ariz., April 7, 2020. More than 800 guardsmen continue to serve across the state in response to the ongoing emergency.
Photo By: Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly Greenwell, Arizona Air National Guard
VIRIN: 200407-Z-HO930-2072
The Arizona National Guard recently flew 300 sets of masks and gowns to a medical facility in the Navajo Nation town of Kayenta. The shipment also included some 2,000 gloves for health care workers. Additionally, several dozen guardsmen are working on building an alternate care facility in that area. Additionally, the Arizona Air National Guard delivered 40,000 yards of fabric from North Carolina to Arizona to be made into medical gowns.

Logistic teams from the West Virginia National Guard transported critical personal protective equipment to 55 counties throughout the state. They also delivered 5,500 meals using refrigerated trucks and packed an additional 2,000 meals for distribution.

The Louisiana National Guard, as of April 2, transported more than 360,000 N95 masks, 1.2 million gloves, 300 ventilators and about 50,000 protective suits to testing sites throughout the state.

The Nevada National Guard is organizing and transporting PPE for distribution to hospitals across the state. At the direction of medical professionals, they are also distributing 50 ventilators received from the state of California.

A soldier kneels next to a stack of packages.
Army Master Sgt. Brooks Young, a Louisiana National Guardsman, helps package and ship ventilator equipment to support the state and federal COVID-19 response in Baton Rouge, La., April 1, 2020.
A soldier kneels next to a stack of packages.
Medical Shipment
Army Master Sgt. Brooks Young, a Louisiana National Guardsman, helps package and ship ventilator equipment to support the state and federal COVID-19 response in Baton Rouge, La., April 1, 2020.
Photo By: Army Staff Sgt. Garrett Dipuma
VIRIN: 200401-Z-PJ019-1010C
The Defense Logistics Agency manages the global supply chain for the U.S. military and federal agencies.

In West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, getting free school lunches to students who are now at home indefinitely, was a problem. DLA helped arrange the transfer of two former Massachusetts National Guard field ambulance trucks to the city's school district. The trucks were excess military property, but ran well. The trucks are helping in the meal distribution effort.


Editor's note: The original story can be viewed on the Defense Department website.